Can A Chef Afford Rent in South Tucson, AZ?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 22.5% of gross income.
South Tucson rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arizona state estimate).
About rent and a chef salary
Chef pay varies sharply by restaurant type, with executive chefs at high-end establishments earning materially above the BLS mean. At the national-average chef salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,604 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Arizona cities have lower median rent than South Tucson, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for South Tucson
View full rent data for South Tucson, AZ →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in South Tucson, AZ?
Median rent in South Tucson is $1,167 a month. A typical chef in Arizona earns about $62,226 a year, which makes that rent 22.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in South Tucson?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Arizona (~$62,226/yr) supports up to $1,556 a month in rent. South Tucson's current median rent is $1,167/mo, which leaves a $389/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in South Tucson?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a chef in Arizona works roughly 39 hours a month to cover South Tucson's median rent of $1,167.
Where is rent cheaper than South Tucson for a chef?
Nearby Arizona cities with lower median rent include Glendale ($1,153/mo), Tucson ($1,107/mo), Casa Grande ($1,103/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.